Camping options near Little Rock, Arkansas range from riverside settings to forested mountain terrain within driving distance of the city. The area sits at approximately 335 feet above sea level with waterways including the Arkansas River and Lake Catherine creating natural boundaries for many camping areas. Most campgrounds remain accessible year-round with winter temperatures rarely dropping below freezing for extended periods, though summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity from June through August.
What to do
Fishing access points: Lake Catherine State Park offers multiple fishing spots along its shoreline where campers can catch bass, crappie, and catfish. A visitor noted, "We enjoyed the hiking trails and rented a few kayaks. It's a great lake for kayaking as the water was calm and there were only a couple of boats on the water."
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds feature dedicated hiking paths with varying difficulty levels. At Petit Jean State Park, campers can access numerous trails directly from the campground. "We spent most of our days hiking the many trails the park is known for. It was at peak Dogwood season, so the understory of the Forest was beautiful!" remarked one visitor.
Wildlife observation: The natural setting around campsites provides opportunities for viewing local wildlife, particularly waterfowl. At Willow Beach, "The water hyacinths were in full bloom while we were here and are beautiful!" according to a camper who appreciated the natural surroundings.
What campers like
River views: Many visitors appreciate the waterfront locations of campsites near Little Rock. At Maumelle Park, a camper shared, "Great spot, easy access, really peaceful and nice view of the river. Dogs swam in river, kids fished and biked. 20B is a great slot on the river and relatively secluded."
Urban proximity: The ability to enjoy nature while remaining close to city amenities draws many campers. One reviewer of Downtown Riverside RV Park explained, "Great location, walkable to downtown. Good WiFi, great reception. Overall, we both thought this was a great and unique campground with full hook ups and a great price. It was nice to be parked in a place that didn't require driving to explore."
Spacious sites: Many campers value the generous spacing between sites at certain campgrounds. A visitor to Petit Jean State Park noted, "The sites are well laid out ideally, full hook up sites with sewer, and plenty of gravel and concrete to keep from dealing with too much dirt, mud, sand. Pull through sites and site facing the lake."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most popular campsites fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. For Petit Jean State Park, a camper advised, "A loop is very hard to get a reservation if you don't book at least a year out in A loop."
Seasonal considerations: While camping is available year-round, specific seasons offer different experiences. A visitor to Toad Suck mentioned, "Stayed here In March, no bugs. Very quiet and clean, they just planted new grass and cleaned up the entire park, three loops with plentiful space to walk."
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring preparation. One camper at Petit Jean State Park shared, "Many sites are unlevel and require significant leveling chocks to get it truly level."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. A camper at Toad Suck noted, "The kids enjoy the playgrounds x 3, walking, plenty of open space, and watching the barges coming down the river."
Water activities: Families often enjoy the water access at many campgrounds. At Maumelle Park, one visitor reported, "First time visiting little rock & this campground was perfect. Water & power hookup for each lot. Beautiful view as we were winding down for the night. Lots of geese wandering around & still chatty late at night- but kinda cute to hear."
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds provide learning experiences through nature programs or nearby attractions. A visitor at Gulpha Gorge Campground observed, "The best thing I found was one of the National Park trails heads right out from the campground and over to one of the rivers/creeks which made for a really amazing place to lay your head at night."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Several campsites offer complete utility connections. A camper at Downtown Riverside RV Park mentioned, "Full hookup (sewer, water, 50 AMP), concrete, level pads, overlooks the Arkansas River."
Site selection strategy: Choosing the right campsite requires research about layout and amenities. At Little Rock North KOA, one RVer advised, "We have a cyclone 4270 (44' triple axel 5th wheel) which is pushing it for most KOA's. We landed a pull through just behind the office and on way out of curve in road so we slide right in."
Leveling requirements: Many campsites require additional equipment for proper leveling. A visitor noted at Little Rock North KOA, "The sites are definitely tight and amenities are very basic. We have a class A and flat tow so we needed a pull thru so we wouldn't have to unhook for the one night. It was tight and sloped on the far back end, but was fine for us."
